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When it came time to write and record their third record, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley wanted to collaborate with some of the country duo’s biggest influences.

“The record is called Dig Your Roots and we’re honestly digging our roots with how we approached our collaborations,” Hubbard tells Postmedia Network during a mid-afternoon chat in Toronto’s entertainment district.

The new LP features a reggae-tinged track with Ziggy Marley on Life Is a Honeymoon, the ballad God, Your Mama, and Me with Backstreet Boys and May We All, a collab with Tim McGraw that will follow the album’s first chart-topping single, H.O.L.Y.

“All these artists were huge influences in our life and huge influences in our music and they’re people that we look up to and respect,” Hubbard adds. “It was a dream come true for BK and I to work with all of them.”

The party vibe FGL kicked off with their 2012 hit Cruise continues on Dig Your Roots, but the duo wanted to take their brand of country music in different directions.

“We wanted to show the fans a different side of who we are,” Hubbard says.

Hubbard and Kelley told us why FGL plans to stay in their own lane, how playing with Backstreet was a bucket list moment and revealed who they want to collaborate with next. Hint: he’s the king of the 6ix.

Love, faith and family are big themes on Dig Your Roots. How did you guys want to shake things up for the new record?

Hubbard: Just like our other albums, we wanted to be real with where we’re at. We’ve grown up a lot over the last few years and we’ve evolved and our music is doing the same as well. It’s FGL, they’re still some good party songs on there and really something for everybody — just like the rest of our records — but we feel like this is the strongest record we’ve done.

What sets FGL apart from the rest of the country music scene these days?

Kelley: For those that aren’t familiar with Florida Georgia Line, I think we do offer something for everybody, particularly because of our influences. We like to do our own thing. We’re in our own lane and we don’t like to mess with anybody else. We like to keep it fresh and just focus on FGL.

What was your first big break?

Kelley: I think we’re getting big breaks every day. God is so good to us and our fans are amazing. We’re living out our dreams constantly.

You guys are big fans of Backstreet Boys, what was it like to collaborate with them on God, Your Mama, and Me?

Kelley: It’s crazy, to be honest with you. I was in sixth grade and I went to see them with a friend at the House of Blues. But we’re big believers in the motto ‘You have to dream big and put that energy out there.’ I don’t know how Nick (Carter) came across us, but we connected and we started passing songs back and forth and he ended up on our bus in Nashville during CMA week and we played him the song and he loved it. There’s a lot of respect there and there’s a friendship.

You’re playing across Canada throughout the fall. What are you looking forward to seeing the most?

Kelley: One of our favourite things about being in Canada and touring is it’ll give us time to get out in nature and do some hiking. Canada has some amazing landscapes and the weather is probably going to be great... Hopefully we get to hike a little bit, get outdoors.

Hubbard: If we pass through Banff I know we might try and stop there. We’ve heard amazing things about that area, so we might try and check that out.

When you play in Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre this week, the CNE will be happening across the way. Got any favourite rides or fair food you hope to try?

Hubbard: I like roller-coasters. If I get a chance to ride a roller-coaster, I’m always jumping at the opportunity. Fair food? I really like funnel cakes.

Kelley: I’m pretty simple. I don’t like anything too crazy like a fried donut or whatever they do — they do some crazy stuff at some fairs — but I like to keep it simple. A good hot dog would be nice. I don’t have many hot dogs, so if they have a nice hot dog, I gotta have it.